Patrick Pruaitch

Tentative dates for MPs’ contempt case

The trial will see Bryan Kramer, Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch and Kerenga Kua answer to allegations of contempt that are being raised by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill regarding issues that were before the courts.

Twivey Lawyers today informed the Supreme Court there are seven distinct allegations leveled against each MP.

Only Vanimo-Green MP, Belden Namah, is yet to be served the contempt motion.

Pruaitch: 2018 Budget a ‘runaway train’

When debating the 2018 Budget on Tuesday in Parliament, Pruaitch said the Budget was fueled by huge budget deficits and soaring public debt, which the Government refuses to put on any safeguards or breaks to lessen the coming shocks.

“This budget is the most fiscally irresponsible budget presented in this House in all my years in Parliament.

“The fake revenue numbers in the budget allow the Government to lift expenditure beyond prudent fiscal levels which is a total disregard for fiscal discipline.

Deputy PM assures landowners of royalty payment

He said the landowners have to get their facts right and deal with land boundaries and clan vetting exercise before the Government can release the royalty payment.

Abel added that the Government is still committed in releasing the funding that was rightfully belong to the people and will not hold back if everything is in order.

The Deputy Prime Minister was responding to questions from the Opposition leader, Patrick Pruaitch on Wednesday.

“When will the Government fulfill its commitment in releasing the royalty payment to the landowners?

PM to fix books in contempt applications

The applications briefly came before the Supreme Court today and were adjourned to the end of the month.

The application seeking contempt charges were against Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch, Kerenga Kua, Belden Namah and Bryan Kramer.

It was filed in the two joint appeals that is challenging the National Court’s decision of August 8, which found that the court cannot judicially review the arrest warrant that was issued against the Prime Minister in 2014.

The joint appeals have been heard with a decision pending from a three-man Supreme Court bench.

Opposition MPs yet to get statements filed

Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch and Kerenga Kua are yet to file their statements because they want their case given to an expatriate lawyer.

Their lawyer told the court today that they are awaiting the approval of the brief out by the Attorney General.

The Supreme Court today gave an extension of one week to the lawyer for the three MPs to file their affidavits.

Madang Open MP, Bryan Kramer, who is representing himself in court, was not present. Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah’s lawyer was also not in court.

Sir Mekere to mentor shadow ministers

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch said instead, Sir Mekere will use his extensive background and knowledge to mentor shadow ministers.

Besides being a former PM, Sir Mekere was the first Papua New Guinean to become Secretary of Finance and later was Governor of the Central Bank.

He also had a reputation as a reforming prime minister.

Masiu appointed deputy opposition leader

When announcing the shadow cabinet, Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch said Masiu, 53, has a solid background in community socio-economic development issues and is destined to play a key role in Parliament as Deputy Opposition Leader.

Masiu, who entered Parliament after a by-election in July 2016 and regained his seat in the recent general election, spent his early career as a journalist and broadcaster prior to taking on key advisory roles in government.

Opposition announces Shadow Cabinet

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch, when making the announcement today, said the revamped Shadow Cabinet represented a mix of experienced political leaders and talented Papua New Guineans who were successful in the 2017 general election.

"The Alliance will challenge the O'Neill Government in Parliament and the public arena on two fronts — poor economic mismanagement, policy formulation and implementation and secondly, massive levels of ongoing corruption and waste," Pruaitch said.

​Pruaitch welcomes Oil Search decision

Pruaitch says he stood by his earlier statement that it is in the national interest for locally produced resources such as crude oil, copper, gold, fishery and forest products, to be sold to local purchasers in PNG’s national currency, the Kina.

Pruaitch believes it is an infringement of our sovereignty for lenders, or any other entity, to insist that domestic resources have to be paid for in US dollars or other foreign currencies, even when sold to PNG buyers.

Such arrangements add to the cost of doing business and hamper efforts to encourage domestic processing.

Pruaitch welcomes Oil Search decision on purchase of crude oil

Pruaitch said he stood by his earlier statement that it is in the national interest for locally produced resources such as crude oil, copper, gold, fishery and forest products to be sold to local purchasers in PNG’s national currency, the Kina.

The leader of the opposition said in a media statement today that it is an infringement of our sovereignty for lenders or any other entity to insist that domestic resources be paid for in US dollars or other foreign currencies, when selling to PNG buyers.